Textile-decorticating machine.



No. 792,059. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. G. R, DE MONTLORD.

TEXTILE DECORTIGATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV. 12.1904.

Witnes ses: a ly zz z dnventor a, M Attorneys No. 792,059. PATENTED JUNE 13', 1905. G. R. DE MONTLORD.

TEXTILE DEOORTICATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV.12.1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses Q 7 d eary/es]? defifioizflam Inventor T Attorneys N0. 792,059. Q PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. G. R. DE MONTLORD.

TEXTILE DEOORTIGATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV. 12.1904.

Attorheys PATENTBD JUNE 13, 1905.

G. R. DE MONTLORD. TEXTILE DECORTIGATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV 121904.

7 SHEBTSSHEET 4.

%\ Mwm 8Q 6 2079%]? (1e fifiaizi Attorneys No. 792,059. PATENTED' JUNE 13, 1905. G. R. DB MONTLORD.

TEXTILE DECORTIGATING MACHINE. APPLIOATION- FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV. 12.1904.

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M M By W Attorneys N Inventor [yea/yew? a/eflwzZ/wv No. 792,059. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. G. R. DE MONTLORD.

TEXTILE DEGORTIGATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV. 12.1904.

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Inventor By M Attorneys PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. G. R. DE MONTLORD.

TEXTILE DEOORTICATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1903. RENEWED NOV. 12.1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

G PWyasH. ae/fimi/ara Inventor Attorneys UNITED STATES Patented June 13, 1905.

PATENT FFIGE.

GEORGES R. DE MONTLORD, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL FLAX FIBER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, Y., A

CORPORATION OF DELAWVARE.

TEXTILE-DECORTICATING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,059, dated June 13, 1905.

Application tiled November 20, 1903. Renewed November 12, 1904. Serial No. 232,527.

To LIZ whom, it 711,617 concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGES R. DE MONT- LoRD,a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and State of New York, but temporarily residing in the city and district of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Textile-Decorticating Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to mechanism for decorticating or breaking the woody fiber or envelop of flax and similar textile plants.

The object of the invention is to produce a machine of simple construction which is adapted to effect the breaking of the outer covering and thorough separation of the same from the inner fibrous tissues The invention contemplates the employment of a plurality of rollers between the faces of which the flax passes. Certain of these rollers have smooth surfaces covered with an elastic material, such as rubber, and others of the rollers have ribbed or fluted exteriors intermeshing in such a manner as to seize the stems of the flax and break the woody envelop thereof. During the process arrangement is made for reciprocating certain of the rollers longitudinally while they continuously rotate, and this double movement has been found highly advantageous in stripping the outer coating from the fibrous interior.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and definitely set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure l is a plan of one end of the machine, certain parts being broken away, as will appear. Fig. 2 is a plan of the other end of the machine not shown in Fig. 1, and this view is also broken away similarly to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. i is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through the central portion of the machine. Fig. 6 is a section taken in a plane parallel with the cutting plane in Fig. 5; but in this view the cutting plane is passed near one of the sides of the machine. Fig. 7 is a side elevation representing, upon an enlarged scale, a detail of the construction and illustrating the mechanism for reciprocating the first breakers or rolls. Fig. 8 is a section supposed to be taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of a portion of the mechanism to illustrate the arrangement for actuating the finishing-rolls. Fig. 10 is a vertical section supposed to have been taken substantially on the line 10 10 of Fig.4.

Throughout the drawings and specification the same numerals of reference denote like parts.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents the frame of the machine, which is preferably of substantially rectangular form, providing elevated edges or faces 2, upon which side plates or housings 3 are attached, as shown. The construction of one of these housings is shown very clearly in Fig. 6. Each side plate is provided with a plurality of horizontally-alining hubst and 4:, preferably six in number, as indicated, and above the bosses 4 boxes or bearings 5 are provided, covered by a suitable cap-plate 6, the said boxes being disposed vertically in openings above the axes of the hubs, as indicated. Intermediate between the two bosses 4? at the left there is a bearing or box 7,

fully hereinafter. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 5, the outer faces of the rollers 9, 11, and 12 are substantially in contact with each other.

Between the three pairs of boxes 5, which are adjacent to the rollers 9, 11, and 12, rollers 11, 15, and 16 are rotatably mounted, the same having outer faces, preferably of substantially the form indicated. The roller 14 has helically-disposed ribs or teeth 14:, while the surfaces of the rollers 15 and 16 have longitudinally-disposed ribs, teeth, or convolutions 15 and 16, and, as shown, those on the surface of the roll 16 are of liner pitch or size than those upon the roll 15. These rolls 14, 15, and 16 mesh, respectively, with similar rolls 17, 18, and 19, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 5.

Remote from the rolls 9, 11, and 12 linishing-rolls 20 and 21 are rotatably mounted, as shown, similarly to the other rolls. These rolls are similar to the rolls 11 and 12 and are carried upon spindles 22, which are adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally in a manner.

similar to the spindles 13 aforesaid. The mechanism for this purpose will be described hereinafter.

it should be understood that all the rolls described above would be driven continuously by means of a suitable belt-pulley 23, the same being carried upon one of the spindles 13, and for the purpose of transmitting the rotation of the pulley the spindles of all the rolls are provided with gear-wheels 2 those gear-wheels which are rigid with the rolls 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, inclusive, meshing together in pairs, as shown, there being gears or pinions 25 disposed between the lower members of the pairs, as shown. The gearwheel carried by the roller 9 meshes, as indicated, with the gear-wheels carried by the rollers 11 and 12, and in order to transmit the movement from this set of rolls to the main rolls therebeyond a gear wheel or pinion 26 is employed, as shown.

For the sake of symmetry and in order to alleviate the strain on gear-wheel 2 1 and the gears on shafts 13 an idle gear 25 is provided below said shafts meshing with the gears thereon.

It should be understood that the raw material would be fed into the machine between the rolls 9 and 12 at the point27, and in order to facilitate the guiding of the plants at this point guide-plates 28 and 29 are arranged, substantially as shown, adjacent to the faces of the rolls. It should be understood also that the raw flax would be advanced into the rolls with the stems disposed substantially at right angles to the axes of the rolls. In order to facilitate the feeding operation, a feed-belt 30 is provided, .the same being disposed in a substantially horizontal position, as indicated, and running about rollers 31 and 32. Adjacent to the upper side of this belt 30 an auxiliary feed-belt 32 is arranged, the same having its advancing side disposed quite close to the face of the belt 30, as indicated, so that the stems of the flax will be pressed therebetween, as will be readily understood. This belt 32 runs about rollers 33, 34:, and 35, the two former of which are in substantial alinement in a horizontal plane; but the distance between these rollers 33 and 34 is less than that between the rollers 31 and 32, and the roller 35 being elevated, as indicated, the arrangement results in providing an inclined strip or sheet 36 of the belting above the outer extremity of the belt 30. At this point the raw material would be placed upon the belt 30, preferably by hand.

The rollers 31 and 33 are adapted to be driven continuously from the gearing of the machine through the medium of a gear-wheel 37 and pinions 38 and 39, carried, respectively, by the rollers, as shown, and driven through the gear 37, as indicated.

The rollers 32 and 35 are rotatably mounted in boxes 40, which boxes are themselves mounted in horizontal guides 11, formed in pillow-blocks 4C2, which pillow-blocks are attached to the upper face of the extremity of a bracket 43, carried by the side of the frame, as indicated. These boxes 10 have downwardly-projecting threaded lugs 4a, through which adjusting-screws pass, one pair of the same at one side of the machine carrying hand-wheels 46, as indicated. For the pur pose of insuring an equality of adjustment at opposite ends of the rollers cross-shafts 17 are provided, the same having beveled gears 48, meshing with corresponding bevel-gears 49, which latter bevel-gears are carried by the adjusting-screws 15, as shown. The roller 34 aforesaid is rotatably mounted in brackets or arms 50, which project in the direction of the rolls.

Between the rolls 1 1, 15, and 16 guide-plates 51 are disposed, as shown, and beneath these guide-plates other guide-plates 52 are disposed, the same being perforated, as indicated. Similar plates 53 and 5 1 are provided beyond the finishing-rolls 20 and 21, and similar plates 55 and 56 are disposed between the rolls 9 11 and 14: and 17, the plate 56 being of greater width, as indicated. It should be observed that these plates are disposed adjacent to the rolls in such a manner as to afford a substantial guide or path way for the material passing between the same.

Beyond the rolls 20 and 21 a delivery-belt 57 is arranged, the same passing about rollers 58 and 59, the former of which is rotatably mounted in the side plates 3, as shown. The roller 58 is disposed in such a manner as to receive the material passingfrom the machine from the perforated plate 54E, and just above the roller 58 a presser-roller 60 is arranged, the spindle 61 whereof is removably set into sockets 62, provided in the edge of the side plates 3, as shown. The rollers 58 and 60 are driven continuously from the gearing of the machine through the medium of a gear-wheel 63, the same being adapted to drive'the gearwheels 64 and 65,carried, respectively, by said rollers.

The roller 59 is rotatably mounted in boxes 66, which boxes are mounted in guideways 67, formed in pillow-blocks 68, the said pillowblocks being preferably mounted upon inclined seats 69, formed near the extremity of brackets 7 O, which are attached to the frame 1, as shown. As indicated, the position of the roller 59 is such as to incline the belt 57 downwardly. In connection with the boxes 66 arrangement is made for adjusting or tightening the belt 57, which arrangement is substantially similar to that describedin connection with the boxes 40, including a handwheel 71, adjusting-screws 72,and bevel-gears 73, cooperating with a cross-shaft 74.

During the operation of the machine arrangement is made for longitudinally reciprocating the rolls 11 12. The rolls 11 and 12 are reciprocated simultaneously, one in opposite direction to the other, whereby the fibers arc rubbed firstin one direction and then in the other. For this purpose (referring especially to Figs. 7 and 8) a stud 75 is attached in one of the side plates 3 on the line joining the axes of these rolls, the said stud having a bifurcated head 76, constituting a fulcrum for a double bell-crank lever 77,Which comprises an arm '78, which is rigid with oppositely-projecting yokes or forks 79, the said forks projecting oppositely from the pivot-point of the arm. These yokes 79 are provided with inwardly-projecting pins 80, which are received by collars 81, which collars are rotatably mounted upon the spindles 13 of the rolls, as indicated, being attached thereto by means of transversely-disposed pins 82, running in grooves 83, as will be readily understood, the said grooves being formed in the face of the spindles in such a manner as to prevent a relative longitudinal movement between the collars and the spindles. Arrangement is made for rocking the bell-crank levers 77,for which purpose a pitman 84 is attached to the extremity of the arm 78 thereof, the said pitman terminating in a fork 85, the arms of which carry pins 86, which project radially from the sides of an eccentric-strap 87, the same being mounted upon an eccentric 88, as shown, which is actuated by a gear-wheel 89. This gear-wheel 89, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3, meshes with one or more of the aforesaid gear-wheels 24. From this arrangement it follows that when the machine is in operation the pitman 84 will be actuated in such a manner as to rock the bell-crank lever 77, and such a movement of this bell-crank lever would evidently operate to bring about a longitudinal reciprocation of the rollers 11 and 12, it being understood that sufiicient play would be allowed for at the points 90 and 91, as will be readily understood.

For the purpose of longitudinally reciprocating the rollers 20 and 21 an arrangement very similar to that just described is resorted to. In this connection (referring especially to Figs. 9 and a stud 92 is attached to the outer face of one of the side plates 3, and to the extremity of such stud a double bell-crank lever 93 is attached, the outer arm whereof is rocked by means of a pitman or eccentric-rod 94, which rod is connected with an eccentricstrap 95 in a manner similar to the pitman or eccentric-rod 94, already described. An e0 centric 96, which is driven through the medium of a gear 97, affords means for actuating the pitman 94 in the same manner as the pitman 84, it being observed that the gear-wheel 97 meshes with an idle gear 98, as shown, the said gear 98 being rigid with the gear-wheel 63, meshing with the gear 24 of the roll 21,

as indicated most clearly in Fig. 4. From this arrangement it follows that when the machine is in operation the rollers 20 and 21 will be reciprocated longitudinally, and to permit such a mode of operation allowance or clearance is made at the points 99 and 100.

In the operation of the machine the flax being first received between the rollers 9 and 12 is subjected to a rolling pressure, also to a certain twisting movement, due to the reciprocation of the roller 12. At this point much of the seed and the looser portions of the stem are broken off, and these pass downwardly and fall into asuitable receptacle 101, intended to receive them. Passing from between the rollers 9 and 12, the flax then passes between the rollers 9 and 11, where the first operation described is substantially repeated. Beyond this point the flax passes across the perforated plate 55, which allows much of the smaller broken particles to pass, after which the rolls 14 and 17 are reached, which bend the stems as they pass between the same, so as to conform to the convolutions of the rolls. The inclined or helical character of the teeth or ribs of these rollers is considered highly advantageous in breaking the woody envelop which incloses the fibrous interior of the flax. As indicated, the ribs or teeth of these rolls 14 and 17 are preferably of greater pitclrtlian those of the rolls and 18, between which the flax now passes. The character of the process to which the flax is subjected in passing between the rolls 15 and 18 is substantially repeated at the rolls 16 and 19. However, the teeth or ribs of the rolls 16 and 19 being of finer mesh, the operation is more refined, after which the flax eventually passes between the rolls and 21, which finish the operation, and here it should be remembered that the rolls are subjected to a longitudinal reciprocation similar to that of the rolls 11 and 12, which is very effective in completing the operation commenced by the other rolls,

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the flax in passing from these last rolls being substantially free of its hard envelop. The inner fiber of the flax issues at this point well freed of the envelop and all particles thereof which should not adhere to the fiber after breaking or decorticating in the manner described.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise form shown, for many of the details may be changed in form or position without affecting the operativeness or utility of my invention, and 1 therefore reserve the right to make all such modifications as are included within the scope of the following claims or of mechanical equivalents to the structures set forth.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A decorticating-machine, comprising a first set of rolls, two of which have their faces adjacent to the third, means for longitudinally reciprocating two of said rolls, a plurality of main rolls beyond the first set of rolls, disposed in pairs and having ribbed surfaces increasing in fineness in the successive pairs, a pair of finishing-rolls adapted to receive the material from the main rolls, means for longitudinally reciprocating the finishing-rolls, and means for rotating all the rolls, substantially as described.

2. A decorticating-machine, comprising a first set of rolls, two of which have their faces adjacent to the third, means for longitudinally reciprocating two of said rolls, a plurality of main rolls beyond the first set-of rolls, disposed in pairs, some having ribbed surfaces, some helically-ribbed surfaces, said ribbed surfaces being of increasing fineness in the successive pairs, a pair of finishing-rolls adapted. to receive the material from the main rolls, means for longitudinally reciprocating the finishingrolls, and means for rotating all the rolls, substantially as described.

3. In a decorticating-machine, the combination, with apair of rotatable lower rolls, a stationary rotatable upper roll above said pair intermediately between the lower rolls and contacting with each of them, said rolls being suitably supported, of collars on the shafts of the lower rolls, a double elbow-lever pivotally supported, the ends of the same engaging the collars on the shafts, and means for actuating the elbow-lever so as to longitudinally reciprocate the lower rolls, each simultaneously in opposite direction to the other, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGES R. DE MONTLORD.

\Vitnesses:

T. MYNARD, J. A. MARION. 

